The team at Shopanthropic wishes you and your loved ones a very Happy Holiday season, filled with love and laughter, and a Happy New Year, with the promise of hope and joy!

2017 has been a year of of growth, promising ideas and beautiful ethical fashion! We are excited to continue forging ahead in 2018 – as we help make the world a little kinder and a little more fashionable.

And we’re back! Apologies for the lack of blog posts over the last few weeks – we were recharging, spending time with loved ones and friends and preparing for an exciting new year. 2016 has been a year of change (both good and bad). We have seen some dark times globally, as well as some bright spots. The ethical fashion movement has continue to grow as awareness has continue to expand. Sadly, so has the detrimental impact that human actions have had on the planet and on our societies.

More than ever, 2017 is a year for us to continue our push forward to empower those that feel helpless in the face of calamity, to find opportunities to do little things that will have a big positive impact on the world and appreciate the beauty in the diversity of cultures, arts and ideas that come from all corners of our planet.

1. Learn about how the products you purchase are sourced

2. Consider buying sustainable fashion products that are made with eco-friendly materials, made under fair-trade conditions, or both

3. Stay fashionable: Look out for some interesting reports on 2017 fashion trends

4. Wear eco-friendly fabrics and ethically made accessories

5. Follow us on Twitter (@enablechange) and subscribe to our blog to get regular update on ethical fashion and gifts

6. Share the sustainable fashion movement with your friends buying ethically made and eco-friendly gifts for them and shopping for ethically made fashion

Wishing you and your loved ones the best of luck in achieving your goals this year. Here’s to a year of joy, success, peace, social consciousness and sustainability!

In India, it is not uncommon to see old fabrics repurposed to provide different uses throughout their life. From shirt, to pillowcase, to bag, to rag – one garment can serve many functions. This method of reusing and recycling fabrics is driven by economic need and has organically evolved into a sustainable recycling model. However, this organic model is more institutionalized and organized then we think, particularly when it comes to the Chindi trade.

An age-old tradition in India, led by the Waghris, a nomadic community of India, the Chindi (rag) trade is an intens bute informal second-hand recycling system. This practice has occurred in India for over 150 years and consists of the Waghris travelling through neighbourhoods and markets bartering old clothes for new utensils from households in cities across India. Through this practice, the Waghri’s are able to provide affordable used clothing to India’s poor, while ensuring old clothes don’t end up in landfills.

Chindi rug made by combining scarps of many different types of fabrics, including cotton, silk, and wool.

However, in return, these nomads face a constant struggle when it comes to sustainably operating their practices as their urban markets are never considered when it comes to urban planning and beautification, poor economic returns, discrimination and no recognition for the work they do to support communities and the environment.

Moreover, due to a lack of investable capital, there second-hand trade is completely off-the-map when it comes to the international market. What, in theory, is an innovative method to deal with urban recycling needs and provide affordable second-hand clothes to India’s poor, is reduced to stigmatized and dying profession.

This practice is a lesson in the fact that communities around the world have acknowledge the need to reuse and repurpose items for centuries. However, it is also warning that if we do not cherish and support these practices, they will remain invisible, marginalized and unaccounted for.

As spring rolls around, we have been thinking about what a season really means for the socially-conscious world of fashion. With pre-seasons becoming an increasingly common addition to the typical Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter collection cycles, the efficient management of scarce resources becomes a greater challenge.

Our view is that by reducing the number of collections and focusing more on designs with longevity, versatility and timeless appeal, fashionistas will be able to repurpose the same designs for longer periods of time. This would create less material waste and an increased focus on the actual value of fashion.

Of course the idea comes with its own share or criticisms. The first of which is the concern that a decreased number of collections annually will lead to decreased profits for designers. The second is the view that sustainability isn’t always on trend, a view found by recent studies. Therefore, the change of mentality around seasonality will not be an easy journey.

On one hand, designers must ensure they are producing items that have longevity and can withstand the test of time both due to design and quality, which would justify a higher price point. On the other hand, consumers must realize the value of eco-concious and sustainable materials that are made of good quality materials. This understanding will take a lot of designers pursuing this creative vision and a lot of consumers accepting it as the new norm.

Our collections are strongly designed around the theme of longevity, with quality made pieces that can transform from day-to-night, winter-to-summer and everything in between.

Until we see the minimization of seasonality on the run way, there is plenty consumers and designers can do to drive toward this movement. Designers can use materials and designs that are versatile and long-lasting. Consumers can purchase from designers who abide by these principles and ensure they take care of their garments and accessories in a manner that maximizes their life. In a recent blog and in blogs to come, we will highlight the proper way to take care of your jewellery and garments to protect them against the test of time.

On April 18, H&M kicked off a major project intended to collect 1,000 tons of used clothes, called World Recycle Week. This event coincides with Fashion Revolution Week.

H&M has tried to be a front-runner in the sustainable fashion space through its Conscious collection, ad campaigns and garment collection program, offering discounts to those who donate their old clothes at its stores. While some have lauded the company’s efforts, which have outpaced other similar fashion brands, critics question whether these efforts are enough to combat the company’s fast fashion mainstream offerings or whether they are just greenwashing.

Lucy Siegle, a journalist at The Guardian pointed out that based on the use of current technology, it would likely take H&M up to 12 years to use just 1,000 tons of clothing waste, a volume of clothing it products it regularly produces in under a week. Kirsten Brodde of Greenpeace has pointed out that of the 1,000 tons of clothing to be collected, a very small portion can actually be used as recycled fibres. Meanwhile had the company offered garment repair services, they may have had a larger impact.

However, the question is whether a different type of program would have the same sort of large scale marketing and sales impact for H&M. For example, the garment collection voucher program, which offers a discount for customers turning in clothing, encourages new purchases while still fitting into H&M’s green agenda.

The issue lies within H&M’s business model itself: you can’t produce massive amounts of fast fashion and grow the amount of stores you have, while attempting to reduce your environmental footprint.

While H&M is a front-runner in the space, it still has a long way to go towards meeting the image it is trying to create. Efforts such as a contest it held last year to encourage innovative ideas for garment recycling and increasing sustainably sourced materials across its clothing lines are only the tip of the ice burg. However, they are nowhere close to combating the unsafe conditions H&M puts workers in around the world. Incremental change is good, however for a company as large as H&M it is not enough. During Fashion Revolution Week, we must continue to put pressure on brands such as H&M to help turn their words into actions and behaviours.

Fashion Revolution Week 2016 will take place from April 18th to 24th. The campaign started in 2014 as a one-day event that resulted from the demand for a more ethical fashion industry on the anniversary of the Rana Plaza factor collapse in Bangladesh. Now it has expanded into a week-long series of events across 84 countries.

Consumers will demand transparency and raise awareness of exploitation in the fashion industry by posting on social media using the hashtag #WhoMadeMyClothes. Companies will be invited to share the faces and stories of the farmers, makers and producers involved in their supply chain through the hashtag #IMadeYourClothes.

Other features of the campaign, include:

A Transparency Index assessing 40 of the top selling global and national brands in the United Kingdom

Daily themes such as: “Let’s be Transparent: Looking at how brands are performing with supply chain transparency” and “How To Be a Fashion Revolutionary”

While, “Who Made My Clothes?” may seem like a straightforward question, Orsola de Castro, Co-Founder of Fashion Revolution reported that “The Behind the Barcode Fashion Report published last year found that 48% of brands hadn’t traced the factories where their garments were made, 75% didn’t know where their fabrics came from and 91% didn’t know where the raw materials came from.” Fashion Revolution Week 2016 aims to “directly challenge every stakeholder in the fashion supply chain – retailers, brands, factories and private label manufacturers, to start to tackle exploitation in the industry by demonstrating transparency”.

Jewellery is an accessory that can transform a boring outfit in to a stylish look and a casual outfit in to a formal look. Costume jewellery is a wonderful choice because of its affordability and availability in a versatile styles.

The most important rule to protect your costume jewellery is to avoid contact with water, moisturizer, hairspray, perfume, makeup or any other harsh chemicals. Jewellery should be always be the last on & first off. Our skin can also transfer moisture, oil or acid on to the jewellery, so it’s always a good habit to wipe jewellery with a dry and soft cloth after every use. Time to time you’ll also need to do a more thorough cleaning of your jewellery pieces.

How to take care of your Wood and Bone Jewellery

Wood jewellery can be damaged with exposure to water, moisture, or dust. You can use a non-abrasive microfiber cloth like the Blitz Wood Polishing Cloth to wipe down the surface of your wood jewellery. This cloth treated with carnauba and beeswax made for delicate surfaces such as musical instruments and is safe for use on wood jewellery. Bone jewellery should be cleaned with a soft dry cloth.

How to take care of your Glass Jewellery

Glass beads become dull over time particularly when worn against the skin or left open. The most cleaning common solution is to use a household glass cleaner with a soft absorbent cloth. You can also use rubbing alcohol or mild liquid dishwashing solution. After cleaning, make sure that all the beads and underlying thread are completely dry before you store your jewellery.

How to take care of your Leather Jewellery

Leather jewellery can be treated with shoe polish, cream or wax to condition the leather and reduce chances of it becoming stiff. Be sure to cover any decorative beads or stones before you start cleaning.

How to take care of your Plastic Jewellery

Plastic jewellery should be cleaned with water, a mild soap solution, soft cloths or sponges. Avoid using harsh cleaners that can damage the surface of plastic jewellery.

How to take care of your Paper Jewellery

Paper jewellery is 100% handmade using sophisticated craftsmanship by artisans. These jewellery pieces are typically eco-friendly. There is no protective coating found on such pieces to prevent water and tear protection so such jewellery must be cared for appropriately. Dry dust can be wiped off with a soft cotton cloth.

Don’t coat your Jewellery

Avoid coating jewellery in any kind of protectant or finish as it can end up damaging the original finish. Some cheaper quality jewellery can turn your skin green; this is a chemical reaction due to a combination of the metal and the acids in your skin. Some people use clear nail polish on the back of such Jewellery to prevent this. However, to avoid this, the best option is to buy fewer but good quality metal jewellery pieces.

Whatever method you choose to use for your jewellery cleaning, first try it in a small area to make sure it is suitable for your jewellery piece.

Always Bag it up

To prevent your jewellery from tangling and getting tarnished or damaged from the elements, store in boxes, wrap in anti-tarnish paper and keep in soft jewellery pouches or use Ziplock bags to reduce exposure to air, that causes oxidation.

And finally, consider buying ethically-made costume jewellery

There are a growing number of ethical fashion designers who are creating jewellery in an ethical manner and/or using eco-friendly and recycled materials. Though these pieces are not as low cost as what is found in fast fashion retailers, if you care for your pieces in the appropriate way, your ethically-made jewellery will last you for years to come.

“It’s not uncommon for fashion shoppers to be labelled as lazy and judgemental, particularly when it comes to ethical fashion choices. A study recently published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology gained much media attention with headlines that lashed many shoppers’ attitudes as ‘ugly’ and ‘wilfully ignorant’, and exclaimed how most shoppers consider ethical shoppers to be ‘boring and unfashionable’.

While this all makes for good headlines, these stories tend to reinforce the divide between ‘ethical’ and ‘non-ethical’ consumers. This separation of consumers is not constructive, nor does it accurately reflect the complexity of the ethical fashion landscape. Today consumers are asked to make fashion decisions about issues of labour, sustainable materials, frequency of fashion seasons and clothing recyclability, among others. Under these circumstances, the definition of what makes an ‘ethical’ consumer becomes blurred and casting judgement on the ‘ordinary’ shopping public appears misplaced.

What did the research actually say? How can we move past the sensational headlines towards encouraging ethical fashion choices?

The study, led by Ohio State University consumer psychologist Daniel Zane, builds on earlier research that found shoppers prefer to be wilfully ignorant about purchases—people will use information about labour practices or environmental impact if it is provided, but if not they won’t actively seek out this information before making a purchase.

The new research found that wilfully ignorant consumers also negatively judge those who do seek out ethical products, describing them as ‘boring’, ‘odd’ and ‘unfashionable’.

The behaviour is attributed to social comparison theory, which explains that the consumer is acting in self-defence so as not to view themselves as inferior to ethical consumers. It’s not that they don’t care about ethical issues, but when they are reminded that they have not acted in accordance with these values while others have, they feel bad about themselves and lash out at those who made them feel that way.

Given that the average reader spends less than 15 seconds reading an online article (and that’s if they even bother to read it before sharing it online), the above mentioned headlines could be doing more harm than good. Readers may interpret these headlines as additional negative representations of their unethical consumer behaviour, leading to more of the ‘lashing out’ documented in the study. Furthermore, the headlines perpetuate the outdated assumption that ethical or sustainable fashion is unattractive or boring.

There is still much to be understood about ethical consumption, particularly in relation to fashion. It’s fairly well documented that guilt- and fear-based messages aren’t effective in getting people to change their behaviour. And despite what the new research suggests in regard to consumers’ desire for ethical information, it’s also the case that extra information does not always lead to action.

What needs to be better understood are the other factors that impact purchase decisions, including availability, price, identity, time, lifestyle and brand loyalty. When considering fashion in particular, a number of specific considerations come into play.

Guilt does not sell fashion—desire does. Education and awareness of fashion’s ethical issues need to be paired with an acknowledgement that clothing purchases are connected to pleasure and individual self-expression. This approach is likely to be more successful than messages based on guilt or denigration.

In addition, cost remains a primary concern for fashion purchases. Though the higher cost of many ethical fashion brands may be justified—because they are paying a living wage to garment workers or sourcing sustainable materials—consumers may not immediately understand the price premium, particularly as clothing prices have plummeted with the rise of fast fashion brands in Australia.

Fashion is also a social activity—purchases are made with an awareness of ‘fitting in’ by wearing attire appropriate for the situation and to coincide with one’s social group. By enhancing the distinction between ‘ethical’ and ‘non-ethical’, consumers not only have to consider their own personal image but also how these distinctions align with their social group.

Importantly, consumers aren’t shopping in a vacuum. They can only buy what is available from the fashion industry, distributed by retailers, and made affordable by appropriate trade agreements. The fashion industry is extremely complex with multiple layers of suppliers, contractors and subcontractors, and worryingly frail levels of transparency and traceability along the supply chain. To focus solely on consumers making ‘ethical’ fashion choices places an unfair level of responsibility on shoppers and detracts from understanding how the industry became so unethical in the first place.

The good news is continuous growth in the sustainable fashion market, which helps to overcome the stigma that ethically sourced clothes are ugly or too expensive. The many small start-up labels are increasingly being joined by larger fashion houses and department stores, which also help consumers overcome issues of availability of ethical fashion. Though the stereotypes exist, a fashion revolution is already underway.”

“Today’s Apple press conference had an unusual start. The company usually starts by releasing a few vanity numbers — iOS devices sold, apps in the App Store, iOS adoption rate, etc. But today was different. Apple spent around a third of the keynote talking about privacy, the environment, and ResearchKit and CareKit. The message is clear — Apple is the good guy.

In corporate social responsibility, social enterprises are for-profit companies that reinvest their profit to fulfill a mission that is tangentially related to the business world. Apple is far from a social enterprise, as it is making billions in profits every year.

And yet, Apple doesn’t have to reinvest a fraction of its profits in things like ResearchKit.

These three missions come at the right time for Apple. Many people don’t know if they should side with Apple or with the FBI in the iPhone unlocking case. It might be the reason why the company spent so much time on these issues instead of announcing new iPhones and iPads from the very beginning.

So, is it a marketing play or does Apple really believe in these missions? This question isn’t really important because Apple’s efforts could have a real effect on medical research, privacy and good recycling program”

While Apple has had its ups and downs when it comes to corporate social responsibility, it is good to see that one of the largest brands in the world is taking a definitive stance on social enterprise. If positive marketing is the push for companies with large caches of cash to direct some funds towards meaningful social enterprises, then that is a good step in our books.

Today marks International Women’s Day, a celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women. This year’s campaign theme is #PledgeForParity. With the World Economic Forum predicting that it would take until 2095 to achieve global gender parity in 2014 and later revising this estimate to 2133 just one year later, the need for action is very evident.

The goal is to have everyone – men and women – pledging to take concrete steps to help achieve gender parity through the following avenues:

Helping women and girls achieve their ambitions

Challenging conscious and unconscious bias

Calling for gender-balanced leadership

Valuing women and men’s contribution equally

Creating inclusive and flexible cultures.

At Shopanthropic, we focus on these goals every day. Most of our artisans are women from underprivileged backgrounds, who strive for ambitions that would help them support their families and communities. By providing them with support in designing and selling their products to the global marketplace, we help them turn their talent and raw energy into something that has a meaningful and tangible impact socially, environmentally and economically. Their products are unique, fashion-forward, made using age-old handiwork practices and are often eco-friendly.

At its core, our work is to provide these girls and women with the resources and opportunities they need to achieve their goals, challenge the conscious and unconscious bias they face daily, contribute to healthy and positive development in their communities and transform the global culture into one that embraces all.

Moreover, by providing women around the rest of the world with stunning and distinctive fashion and lifestyle products, we hope to make them feel confident and beautiful – all while leaving a positive impact on the world.

Our pledge is to support all people to strive to be the best versions of themselves, regardless of their gender, creed or colour. If we can help achieve parity for all, we can achieve this goal. To do this, the momentum must last longer than just one day in March, it must be everyone’s goal year-round.

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The Bay & Harbour Blog

Bay & Harbour is the brainchild of a Toronto-based mother/daughter team with an eye for trend-setting, unique and high-quality fashion & lifestyle products.

The pair is inspired by different cultures, handicraft techniques, discrete designs, and fashion trends from their travels around the world. Bay & Harbour as their outlet to share that love of design with others.

The Bay & Harbour collections feature a variety of accessories & lifestyle products for both men & women.

The co-founders are passionate about fashion with a cause. Many of the Bay & Harbour collections also include pieces that are sustainable and / or ethically made.